Iwi to build 15 homes in Rotorua to fulfill housing aspirations

Ngāti Uenukukōpako Iwi is building a selection of two- and three-bedroom homes in Rotorua. Image / Supplied

Rotorua iwi Ngāti Uenukukōpako has secured $4.2 million of government funding "to fulfil aspirations and provide warm, safe and healthy homes for our people".

Ngāti Uenukukopako Iwi Trust chairman Nireaha Pirika said it was a milestone moment for the iwi as one of the major goals was housing its people.

"This is becoming a reality."

Pirika said the trust had been developing the project since 2014 and the hard work and perseverance had culminated in an awesome outcome for Ngāti Uenukukōpako.

The trust would provide 15 new Lockwood Homes on Te Ngae Rd, with a mixture of two and three-bedroom dwellings on land bought in 2012.

The trust had chosen Habitat for Humanity to manage the rental homes.

Warm, safe and healthy homes are the focus for Ngāti Uenukukōpako Iwi. Image / Supplied

Pirika said Habitat for Humanity "was a great fit as their vision and purpose aligned with the iwi aspirations and Lockwood Homes have a reputation as second to none in the building trade".

Pirika also mentioned the trust would only contract Rotorua companies on the project to help boost the local economy.

Work has started on site and the aim was to have piles driven in before the Christmas break and works restarted by mid-January. The 15 homes were expected to be completed by July next year.

Habitat for Humanity Central Region NZ chief executive Nic Greene said it had been working with the trust for more than two years about what it wanted to do with its land.

As a Community Housing Provider, Habitat for Humanity would provide tenancy and property management.

"We work in partnerships and what we look to do is come to the table, where we can add value and bring skills and expertise that may be missing from other partners."

It would be the first partnership of its type in Rotorua, Greene said.

"We have had home ownership properties in Rotorua before but this is expanding our footprint into long-term social rental as well."

The site at Te Ngae Rd that Ngāti Uenukukōpako Iwi is building houses on. Photo / Andrew Warner

Lockwood Group managing director Andrew La Grouw said it appreciated the trust made local sourcing an important consideration in its selection process.

"The local economy will get maximum benefit as the components for these homes are being manufactured in our Rotorua factory, employing locals and using materials almost entirely sourced from around the rohe, and using local trades to complete the works.

"We know that several generations of families will enjoy the benefits of living in homes that are designed to be warm, low maintenance, and highly resilient."

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development deputy chief executive Kararaina Calcott-Cribb. Photo / Supplied

Housing and Urban Development deputy chief executive Kararaina Calcott-Cribb said through the MAIHI partnerships programme it was working with Māori housing providers and iwi across the region including Tauranga and Rotorua.

"I'm humbled to be part of a partnership that is delivering warm, dry housing to these whānau. Supporting iwi and Māori to develop and keep safe, secure, healthy and affordable housing is essential to reducing the numbers of Māori experiencing homelessness."

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was also supporting at least 13 Bay iwi and Māori entities through three funds.

According to its data under the He Kūkū Ki Te Kāinga Fund, Ngāti Uenukukōpako Iwi Trust received $4.2 million to build 15 houses at Te Ngae Rd in Rotorua. They were working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity providing wrap-around support services.

The other big benefactor was Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust which got $2m to help purchase an eight-unit housing facility in Tauranga to repurpose for iwi social and transitional housing accommodation.

Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities Bay of Plenty regional director Darren Toy. Photo / Supplied

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Bay of Plenty regional director Darren Toy said partnering with mana whenua to achieve their housing goals and aspirations was fundamental to how it worked.

"I am committed to working with the many iwi and hapu across the Bay of Plenty around potential opportunities for housing development. There is huge potential to transform and improve Māori housing outcomes and increase housing supply through working collaboratively."

He said it was in the early stages of this work across the region.

"While our collective commitment to this mahi is strong, we are very much at the beginning of this rich journey."

Kāinga Ora was working with iwi, council and government partners working alongside business and community groups.

"We can look forward to realising these aspirations for whānau, tamariki and mokopuna in our region."